Harry Glenn Hughes (B.S. forestry, ’75; retired Extension faculty) 72, Starkville — Following his graduation from MSU, he earned a master’s from the University of Wyoming and a doctoral degree in wildlife and fisheries from Texas A&M. He spent 19 years at Penn State University where he earned the rank of full professor. He later served as an Extension forestry professor with the MSU Extension Service. — Dec. 27, 2025
Paul Wayne Kincade (B.S. chemistry, botany, ’66, M.S. animal physiology, ’68) 80, Nichols Hills, Oklahoma — A world-renowned immunologist, Kincade died less than a week short of his 81st birthday. He spent more than three decades at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, where he held the William H. and Rita Bell Chair in Biomedical Research. He was founder of the organization’s Immunobiology and Cancer Research Program. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MSU, and a doctoral degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he joined the faculty of the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research following a pair of postdoctoral fellowships. He was an internationally recognized stem cell biologist whose career focused on studying the development of the immune system. He is credited with discovering that marrow stem cells possess receptors that recognize bacteria and viruses, which contradicted accepted understanding at the time. Most recently, his team at OMRF established a connection between chronic infections, stem cells and aging. His work garnered many honors, including a Research Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health and an NIH M.E.R.I.T Award. He served as the 86th president and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Association of Immunologists. He also served as president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, the nation’s largest association of biological scientists. He credited his love of immunology to Bruce Glick of MSU, who not only taught him scientific fundamentals but also the importance of asking the right questions. — Oct. 5, 2025
Winfred Randolph Strickland (B.S. general science, ’54 ) 91, Ellisville—He graduated from Jones County Junior College before continuing his education at MSU. He later earned master’s and doctoral degrees in science education and administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He spent two years in the U.S. Army in Europe and devoted 44 years to education in Mississippi. For 17 years, he served Copiah-Lincoln Community College as an instructor and chairman of the Mathematics and Science Division. He then spent 27 years at JCJC as a chemistry instructor, dean of academic affairs and vice president of instructional affairs. During his career, he also served as chairman of the Mississippi Academic Deans Association for two-year colleges. He further embodied a dedication to education by establishing multiple scholarships in honor of his family at Jones, where he was named Alumnus of the Year in 2009. He was a deacon and long-time Sunday school superintendent of First Baptist Church of Ellisville. Also devoted to community service, he was a 50-year leader of the Lions Club, which he served as president, and was chair of Ellisville’s zoning board and financial manager of the Jones County Council on Aging. — Oct. 5, 2025
B. Michael Thorne (retired faculty) 83, Starkville — A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, he held a bachelor’s in sociology and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from Louisiana State University. He joined MSU’s psychology faculty in 1970. His research focused on brain damage and aggression in rats and he authored more than 80 scientific articles and encyclopedia entries. Following his animal research, he authored textbooks in statistics, biological psychology and the history of psychology. He was the department’s graduate coordinator for a decade and served for 20 years as executive editor of a psychology journal. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Psi Chi, Sigma Xi and several professional organizations. Thorne retired in 2002, but continued to teach until 2009, wrapping up a 40-year career in education. In retirement, he penned several short stories and published two novels in addition to writing and speaking on health topics. Dedicated to education even in death, he donated his body to University of Mississippi Medical Center and is remembered through the Dr. B. Michael Thorne Endowed Scholarship in Psychology through the MSU Foundation. — Oct. 12, 2025
James “Dale” Thornton (B.S. mechanical engineering, ’63) 85, Little Rock, Arkansas — He began his career at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and later helped send a man to the moon with the Apollo program at Cape Canaveral. He then worked for Boeing in California before transitioning into the field of nuclear energy for the remainder of his career, which he spent with the Tennessee Valley Authority. He served as a deacon at Dallas Bay Baptist Church. — Oct. 31, 2025
Marianne Ulmer (B.S. secondary education, ’80; M.S. psychology, ’92, retired faculty) 70, Starkville — A native of Meridian who was raised as an “Army brat” including a stint in Germany, Ulmer spent most of her career as a teacher—first in the Starkville public school system then in the MSU Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, where she taught public speaking, voice and articulation, and acting, and helped lead Theatre MSU. Ulmer was also an active member of the Starkville Community Theater. She is remembered as helping countless students and fellow actors find their voices and moments in the spotlight and was a woman of many talents, including sports, music, cooking, sewing and hostessing. — Oct. 29, 2025
Kenneth “Red” Vance (B.S. business information systems, ’85) 61, Olive Branch — Following his graduation from MSU, he was hired by Sunburst Bank in Grenada. He later transferred to Bank of Mississippi in Tupelo before ultimately moving to International Paper in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was a programming analyst. An active member of his church, he was a Sunday school teacher, superintendent and a deacon. — April 24, 2025
Charles Thomas Williams Sr. (B.S. industrial engineering, ’55) 98, Ooltewah, Tennessee — Prior to becoming a Bulldog, he served in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Germany after World War II and in the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1952 as a sergeant first class. Postgraduation, he joined Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company in Natchez before moving to Summerville, Georgia, to join Riegel Textile Corp. He subsequently held jobs at Atlas Chemical and Cone Mills before starting a 22-year career at Dixie Yarns in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He retired in 1993 as chief industrial engineer for the company. Always civic minded, he served as chairman of the Chattanooga County Hospital Authority, president of the Summerville Elementary PTA, president of the Summerville Little League, district administrator of Little League, cubmaster of Summerville Pack 73 and district commissioner of Cub Scouts in addition to being secretary of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers. He was a member of the Lions Club, Gideon’s International and the Chattanooga Linebackers Club and was deacon chairman of Summerville First Baptist Church. In 2025, the church recognized his 30 years of service by naming him deacon emeritus. — Jan. 17, 2026
In Memory of Wallace A. Murphree
Wallace Allgood Murphree II, a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy who is remembered as a mentor and ally to the first generations of Black students at Mississippi State, died March 3. He was 87.
A native of Wedowee, Alabama, he served in the U.S. Army before completing his education which culminated in a doctoral degree in philosophy from Vanderbilt University. He joined the MSU philosophy faculty in 1967 ultimately serving as head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion.
During his career, he also served as vice president and president of the Mississippi Philosophical Association. Following his retirement in 2001, he returned to Randolph County, Alabama, and built a cabin at the site of his parents’ old homeplace.
Col. Robert Barnes, an active MSU alumnus, remembers Murphree as a mentor and friend both to himself and many other Black students during the turbulent 1960s and ’70s. He is credited with hosting the “first truly integrated social event” between Black students and MSU faculty when he invited students to his home for a viewing of Super Bowl VII.
“He befriended a group of us Black students at a time when there were no Black faculty members at Mississippi State,” Barnes said. “He treated us as equals. His example taught me that quiet courage, hospitality, and listening can be just as powerful as speeches and titles.”
Murphree’s first-hand recollections of that time, as well as the personal stories of MSU’s early Black alumni are chronicled in the MSU Television Center-produced documentary “Ring Your Bell and Tell Your Tale.” Scan the QR code to view the program.
Remembering Fred Smith
Fred Smith (faculty) 72, Starkville – Longtime rare books coordinator for MSU Mitchell Memorial Library, Smith was known across the Magnolia State for his enthusiasm for and knowledge of literature and history. Prior to coming to Mississippi State, he worked alongside his father at the family’s well-known, historic bookstore Choctaw Books in Jackson. The store specialized in Mississippi and Southern history and literature, and he used that knowledge to help strengthen MSU’s Special Collections and serve as an inspiration to those around him. — Feb. 28, 2026
Celebrating the Life of Billy W. Howard Sr.
Billy W. Howard Sr., a manufacturing icon and three-sport letter winner at MSU, died Jan. 28. He was 99.
A native of Laurel, Howard came to Mississippi State on a football scholarship and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in just three years while lettering in football, as well as basketball and track.
He earned the nickname “Iron Man” after being the first player to complete a full 60 minutes in one afternoon under Coach Allyn McKeen. In basketball, he made varsity as a freshman at MSU. During his track career, he competed in shot put, discus, javelin and high jump.
His athletic prowess earned Howard the National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award and a place in MSU’s Hall of Fame. Following his graduation, he turned down offers to play in the National Football League, and instead briefly returned to Laurel High School to teach chemistry and coach the sports he lettered in before joining Mississippi Power Company. He later put his engineering career on hold to serve as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Following his service, he joined General Electric where he built a storied career before founding Howard Industries Inc. He secured more than $4 million in transformer orders before the company’s first plant was even completed. Working with his family, Howard grew the Laurel-based company into a billion-dollar enterprise and global leader across multiple industries.
Howard was also devoted to the success of his community. He was a member of many service organizations and invested in the success of education in Laurel and Jones County. He also established a formal partnership with Mississippi State to provide practical experience and job training at his manufacturing plant.
He earned the Mississippi State University Outstanding Alumni Award and the MSU Engineering Award. He served as national president of the MSU Alumni Association and was a member of the MSU Foundation and engineering boards.
In June 2025, MSU’s new 110,000-square-foot indoor Billy Howard Indoor Practice Facility was named in his honor after Howard Industries made the lead gift for its naming. Howard’s donation is expected to enhance the Mississippi State football program by providing top-tier resources and fostering player development.
Howard was also honored throughout his life with numerous awards recognizing his impact, including the Governor’s Bronze Glove Award, Junior Auxiliary Co-Humanitarian of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year honors, induction into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame, and many others.
Remembering Billy C. Ward
Billy C. Ward, who served as Mississippi State’s vice president for institutional advancement, died Feb. 6. He was 84.
Ward joined the Mississippi State faculty in 1977 as a founding member of the College of Veterinary Medicine. He served as CVM dean from 1983-87 when he became the university’s chief development officer. He played a key role in MSU’s first comprehensive major gifts campaign, which garnered commitments of more than $143 million before he left to head the Swalm Foundation in Houston, Texas, in 1998.
He remained proud of his accomplishments as a Bulldog and retained a great respect for Mississippi State and the Maroon and White family.
A native of the Texas Panhandle region, Ward was a graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of California at Davis.